Beale in doubt for Rebels tour

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Melbourne - Wallaby fullback Kurtley Beale will not know until Tuesday whether he will play for the Melbourne Rebels in their final two Super Rugby games in South Africa this month, the club said on Monday.

Neither Beale nor fellow Test star James O'Connor were among the 25-player Rebels squad that left for South Africa on Sunday following injuries in Friday's 32-17 Super Rugby loss to the Reds in Melbourne.

O'Connor strained his hamstring to be ruled out of the final two matches of the season while doubts surround Beale's fitness.

Beale missed the Wallabies' first three Tests last month with a shoulder injury and ended the third Test win against Wales with a rib problem.

Melbourne officials said Beale was in doubt for the South African tour with "soreness" and will be reassessed on Tuesday after having two days rest at home.

If both O'Connor and Beale are out, James Hilgendorf would likely regain the No 10 jersey against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday. The Rebels play the Stormers in their final match on July 14.

The Rebels are out of contention for the Super Rugby playoffs after just four wins in 14 games this season.

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